Contents

History

The pay of the Third Sea Lord until 1868 had been £1,000. At the end of that year, formalised by Order in Council of 14 January, 1869, the Third Sea Lord technically disappeared entirely when the position of Second Naval Lord was abolished, and the Controllership of the Navy, although vested in a naval officer, was known as the Third Lord and Controller of the Navy.[1] In 1872 the Controller ceased to be a Board member once more, the office of Second Naval Lord was restored, and technically the Third Naval Lord became the Junior Naval Lord.[2] This state of affairs continued for a decade, until 1882, when the "Comptroller" of the Navy became an "Additional Naval Lord".[3] In a distribution of business of 24 April of that year he is styled simply Controller of the Navy,[4] but as the Junior Naval Lord retained his title the Controller was already in effect Third Sea Lord. In subsequent distributions of business he was styled as Third Naval Lord and Controller of the Navy.[5]

By Order in Council of 21 December, 1906, the emoluments of the Third Sea Lord and Controller were raised from £1,500 a year to £1,750 a year, in addition to Naval Half Pay. The Controller then became £250 a year better off than the Second Sea Lord.[6]

The title of Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy was changed to Third Sea Lord with effect from 12 June, 1912.[7] In September he was formally relieved of duties relating to contracts, finances and dockyard management, which were allocated to the Additional Civil Lord, who had been appointed in January.[8]

The office of Third Sea Lord received the designation Third Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Materiel by Order in Council of 23 October, 1917.[9]

The office of Controller was merged with that of Third Sea Lord on 25 June, 1918, and became once again Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy.[10]

Duties

The 3rd Sea Lord conducts the Store Department at Somerset House. He provides, in conjunction with the 1st, all Stores & Supplies for the Dockyards both at Home & Abroad, & for the Fleet in Commission, as well as for the Line of Battle Ships, Frigates, & Steamers ordered from time to time to be brought forward as Advanced Ships, at the several Out-Ports.He likewise superintends all matters relative to the Affairs at Greenwich Hospital, & decides upon all claims for Greenwich Pensions &c.The Storekeeper General (Mr Dundas) is under the immediate control of the 3rd Sea Lord.

1.—The entire administration of the Dockyards and Dockyard Reserve, Dockyard Craft, control of the Departments of the Director of Naval Construction, Engineer-in-Chief, Director of Dockyards, Superintendent of Contract Work, Naval Stores, and Expense Accounts; also control of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors, and of all Dockyard Foremen, Inspectors, Subordinate Officers, and Workmen (except promotion of Officers above the rank of Constructor).

1.—Design of Matériel for the Fleet, including Ships and their Machinery, Armour, Naval Ordnance and Gun Mountings, Aeroplanes and Airships, and Docking facilities: also alterations and additions to ships which affect design or fighting efficiency. Preparation of Estimates of cost of all new construction falling due in any year under current and prospective programmes. Superintendence of the Departments of the Director of Naval Construction, Engineer-in-Chief, Director of Naval Ordnance, Superintendent of Equipment and Refits, Director of Air Department, and Superintendent of Compasses.

2.—Design questions affecting vessels proposed to be purchased for the Fleet or to be employed in auxiliary services.

3.—Inventions relating to Ships, Machinery, &c.

4.—Salvage of vessels, so far as technical and professional considerations are involved.

1.—Design of Matériel for the Fleet, including Ships and their Machinery, Armour, Naval Ordnance and Gun Mountings, Aeroplanes and Airships, and Docking facilities: also alterations and additions to ships which affect design or fighting efficiency. Preparation of Estimates of cost of all new construction falling due in any year under current and prospective programmes. Superintendence of the Departments of the Director of Naval Construction, Engineer-in-Chief, Director of Naval Ordnance, Director of Naval Equipment, Director of Air Department, and Superintendent of Compasses.

2.—Design questions affecting vessels proposed to be purchased for the Fleet or to be employed in auxiliary services.

3.—Inventions relating to Ships, Machinery, &c.

4.—Salvage of vessels, so far as technical and professional considerations are involved.

1.—Design of Matériel for the Fleet, including Ships and their Machinery, Armour, Naval Ordnance and Gun Mountings, Aeroplanes and Airships, and Docking facilities: also alterations and additions to ships which affect design or fighting efficiency. Programme of new construction and repairs in H.M. Dockyards and Contractors' Yards, and questions relating to order of priority of work. Important questions arising in connection with repairs of ships and progress in new construction and repairs (see Note under Additional Civil Lord). Preparation of Estimates of cost of all new construction falling due in any year under current and prospective programmes. Superintendence of the Departments of the Director of Naval Construction, Engineer-in-Chief, Director of Naval Ordnance, Director of Naval Equipment, Director of Air Services and Superintendent of Compasses.

2.—Design questions affecting vessels proposed to be purchased for the Fleet or to be employed in auxiliary services.

3.—Selection of vessels for service as Armed Merchant Cruisers or for combatant purposes, and all technical questions in regard to fitting the same (except Yacht and Motor Boat Patrol, dealt with by Fourth Sea Lord).

4.—Inventions relating to Ships, Machinery, &c.

5.—Salvage of vessels, so far as technical and professional considerations are involved.

Types and quantities of Matériel for the Fleet, including Ships and their machinery, armour, guns and gun mountings, torpedoes, mines, &c., and their respective appliances and stores, also docking facilities.

Design of Matériel as above, including important alterations and additions to completed ships which affect their fighting and sea-going qualities (in conjunction with Controller).

Order of priority of work upon ships for Naval Service, including both new construction and repairs and alterations (in conjunction with Controller).

Selection of vessels for service as Armed Merchant Cruisers or for Fleet purposes as regards general suitability for the Service (in conjunction with Controller).

Inventions relating to ships and other Matériel as above—questions as to their suitability and applicability to the Naval Service.

Salvage Service.

NOTE.—The Heads of the Departments dealing with the above questions will continue under the superintendence of the Third Sea Lord for these purposes. The Director of Naval Equipment and Director of Compasses will work jointly under the Third Sea Lord and Controller.

Footnotes

↑"Distribution of Business" in docket "Distribution of Business: Board of Admiralty" dated 24 April, 1882. The National Archives. The National Archives. ADM 1/6330.

↑"Distribution of Business Between the Various Members of the Board of Admiralty Showing the Successive Changes Made Between 1885 and the Present Time." 1890. C.—6199. Copy in Greene papers. National Maritime Museum. GEE/2.

↑"Distribution of Business" in docket "Distribution of Business: Board of Admiralty" dated 24 April, 1882. The National Archives. ADM 1/6330.

↑Docket "Table of distribution of business of Members of Board, & Secretaries" dated 13 July, 1885. The National Archives. ADM 116/3392.

↑Docket "Table of Distribution of Business amongst Members of Board & Secretaries" dated 11 January, 1889. The National Archives. ADM 116/3392.

↑"Distribution of Business Between the Various Members of the Board of Admiralty Showing the Successive Changes Made Between 1885 and the Present Time." 1890. C.—6199. Copy in Greene Papers. National Maritime Museum. GEE/2.

↑Docket "Revised Table of Distribution of Admiralty Board Business 16 April 1908."
The National Archives. ADM 116/3392.